Topinka delays decision on running for governor

State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka will not be announcing anything about her future political intentions today, Ms. Topinka's office announced late Friday morning.

Ms. Topinka had indicated that she would disclose by today whether she will run for governor in 2006. But her spokeswoman says Ms Topinka "hasn't decided yet."

Sources close to the treasurer have indicated she is leaning strongly against a race, but may want to give national Republican leaders more time to line up funding. Whoever wins the March GOP primary likely will have to oppose incumbent Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who already has more than $14 million in his campaign war chest.

Earlier this fall, another big-name GOP moderate, former Gov. Jim Edgar, announced that he would not seek to reclaim his old job. Among those who are running are state Senators Bill Brady and Steve Rauschenberger, and businessmen James Oberweis and Ron Gidwitz.